Methods and compositions for treating primary and secondary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS)

Abstract

Methods and compositions for the treatment and / or prophylaxis and / or suppression of primary and / or secondary tumors of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord, eyes) in mammalian subjects are disclosed, wherein an effective dose of a methylol transfer agent such as Taurolidine and / or Taurultam and / or a bioequivalent is administered to a mammalian subject suffering from, or at risk of growth of, tumors of the central nervous system. Furthermore, methods for local application of Taurolidine and / or Taurultam and / or a bioequivalent in solution are disclosed using microdialysis methods, irrigation methods, implantion methods and angiographic methods.

Description

CROSS-RELATED REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 281,138, filed Oct. 28, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,815,441 which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 583,902, filed Jun. 1, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,481 B1, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 137,421 filed Jun. 4, 1999, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 151,050 filed Aug. 27, 1999, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 167,681 filed Nov. 29, 1999, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 174,607, filed Jan. 5, 2000 and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 182,200 filed Feb. 14, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is in the field of treating tumors of the central nervous system (CNS).[0004]2. Description of the Background Art[0005]Taurolidine (Bis-(1,1...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about using certain chemicals called metholyl transfer agents to treat tumors in the central nervous system of mammals. These chemicals have been found to have a direct antineoplastic effect on brain tumor cells, meaning they can stop the growth of tumors. This is surprising because brain tumor cells are often resistant to traditional chemotherapy. The use of these chemicals may offer a new and effective treatment option for brain tumors."

Problems solved by technology

However, primary tumors of the brain and medulla of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are very different from those of the body.

Effective surgical treatment is often impossible since the tumors are located in functionally important areas, or spread diffusely.

This situation causes herniation and death when the tumor grows larger than can be accommodated.

Complete resection is often impossible because of poorly defined tumor borders and location within the brain area.

There is no well designed study regarding the beneficial effect of radiotherapy following glioma surgery.

However, only about 50% of the patients treated with chemotherapy using alkylating agents are able to maintain regular activities.

Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of patients with malignant primary CNS-tumors is still poor.

Some primary malignant central nervous system tumors cannot be treated surgically because of their location or diffuse extension (gliomatosis, diffuse brain stem gliomas).

Heretofore, no therapy could be offered to those patients despite a palliative radiation.

Thus, the therapy of primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system has been very unsatisfactory.